German Formula 3 champion Tom Dillmann will race in GP3 this season with Carlin. The 21-year-old Frenchman was an F3 Euro Series regular for several years before switching to the German championship last season and clinching his first title in car racing.
"The last three seasons have been very difficult for me due to budget problems but this has only made me stronger as a driver," said Dillmann.
Team boss Trevor Carlin said he had rated Dillmann during his often-difficult F3 Euro years.
"I've been impressed with Tom's racecraft having watched him first hand in F3 Euro Series and he beat some very talented drivers to the German F3 crown last year so there's no denying his talent," said Carlin.
Dillmann joins Star Mazda champion Conor Daly in Carlin's 2011 GP3 lineup. The series holds its first tests of the year at Paul Ricard tomorrow and Friday.